Pompey produced their most convincing display of the season to ease past Cheltenham at the weekend. But they will likely face a sterner test when high-flying Bolton make the trip down to the south coast this evening (7.45pm kick-off). The visitors sit fourth in the table and have won seven of their past eight games to move to within six points of the automatic promotion places. And a 2-0 victory at 10-man Accrington six nights ago means they are heading off to Wembley for April’s Papa Johns Trophy final. Perhaps the excitement generated by that was behind their slow start against Port Vale on home soil at the weekend. They fell behind to Ellis Harrison’s strike, only for goals from Victor Adeboyejo and Josh Sheehan to ensure the points remained in the north-west. Pompey visited Wanderers twice in the space of just four days last month – and suffered defeats in both the Papa Johns Trophy and the league. But that was just before John Mousinho took charge and form has improved since, with 10 points collected from the last 12 available at Fratton Park. And the Blues emerged 1-0 winners when the sides met on the south coast during the 2021/22 campaign, with John Marquis netting the only goal early in the second half. TEAM NEWS This evening’s game likely comes too soon for Tom Lowery (hamstring) and Reeco Hackett (back), while Jay Mingi (knee), Clark Robertson (hip) and Zak Swanson (groin) are building towards being available for selection again. But Marlon Pack (knee) and Jayden Reid (knee) are now the only two players still in the treatment room. Jón Daði Böðvarsson (ankle), George Johnston (ankle), George Thomason (knee) and MJ Williams (knee) are all missing for the visitors. Bolton also have doubts over Cameron Jerome (back), but Victor Adeboyejo is expected to shake off a knock picked up at the weekend. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 36 wins Bolton: 44 wins 23 draws At Fratton Park Pompey: 26 wins Bolton: 9 wins 15 draws TICKETS Pompey fans can secure their seat online here or by visiting the Anson Road ticket office. Subject to availability, they can also be bought from the ticket booth behind the Fratton End this evening. Please note that half-season tickets are not valid for this rearranged fixture. All half-season ticket holders will need to purchase a match ticket. Click here to read about what is happening around the ground this evening, including details on the bucket collection for the Jimmy Dickinson statue fund. OFFICIALS Referee: Stephen Martin Assistants: Ian Cooper and Rob Smith Fourth Official: Sam Purkiss MATCH COVERAGE Supporters at home and abroad can watch the contest live by purchasing an iFollow match pass and visiting the match centre. Domestic iFollow subscribers can enjoy audio commentary from Andrew Moon and Guy Whittingham as usual, but will need to purchase a match pass if they want to watch the game. Click here for more information about using iFollow on a matchday and click here for information on downloading the app, so you can access content on your mobile device. We will have updates throughout the game on Twitter and the match centre. You can also see behind-the-scenes content on our Instagram story. There will be post-match reaction on the website and our official YouTube channel, with highlights to follow on Wednesday. Local listeners can hear commentary by tuning in to either Express FM or BBC Radio Solent (not available online).
Pompey are unchanged from Saturday, but the really good news is the return of fit again midfielder Tom Lowery, who has been out injured since last November, being named on the bench this evening.
Half time, and it's 0-0, in an exciting end to end game. We have had the best chances to open the scoring, especially when Bolton keeper Trafford cleared the ball straight to Owen Dale who really should have scored. Three bookings all against the visitors, with Santos booked for a shocking foul on Colby Bishop in the 12th minute. Bradley then received a yellow card for fouling Conor Ogilvie in the 27th minute, and then the referee booked Bolton's manager Ian Evatt for what I believe was foul language in the 43rd minute. Santos in particular is lucky to still be on the pitch, for committing numerous fouls mainly on Colby Bishop.
First Half Match Stats:- Home Team: Portsmouth .........Away Team: Bolton Possession: Home 46% Away 54% Shots: Home 9 Away 4 Shots on Target: Home 2 Away 0 Corners: Home 1 Away 0 Fouls: Home 8 Away 11
Just tuned in to the BBC website! What an unbelievable result! Where were these players doing during the latter part of Cowley's regime-?
Final whistle. 3-1 to Pompey with an excellent second half performance, and we came back from a goal down to win in style. Dion Charles put Bolton ahead in the 48th minute from a corner (their first of the match !). Pompey drew level in the 73rd minute with a lovely header by young centre half Ryley Towler from a Joe Rafferty free kick, and then in the 84th minute, he scored a second goal from a Joe Morrell cross. Ryley's first goals for the club since signing from Bristol City in January. Three minutes later in the 87th minute, Colby Bishop scored his 17th goal of the season from a Ryan Tunnicliffe corner. We used two subs, being Dane Scarlett for Michael Jacobs in the 66th minute, and Joe Pigott for Ronan Curtis in the 81st minute. Two more Bolton players were yellow carded, being Kieran Lee for fouling Ronan Curtis, and Eoin Toal for a foul on a Pompey player. We had two bookings for Ronan Curtis and Joe Rafferty, both for fouls.
Final Match Stats:- Home Team: Portsmouth .......Away Team: Bolton Possession: Home 50% Away 50% Shots: Home17 Away10 Shots on Target: Home 5 Away 2 Corners: Home 6 Away 2 Fouls: Home16 Away19
